Eagle Owl disaster. Any bird spotters on here?

[Globalti]

The thread on seagulls got me thinking about the eagle owls that have been attacking visitors with dogs in the Whitendale valley here in the Forest of Bowland, Lancashire. However when I Googled the subject I was dismayed to find this article claiming that all three breedng pairs have disappeared:

http://raptorpolitics.org.uk/2013/0...ound-deserted-on-the-united-utilities-estate/

What's the "bobby" on this? Bowland is an area within the Duchy of Lancaster, important to the huntin' shootin' and fishin' brigade and I've no doubt there are some powerful interests who you would do better not to upset. I'm mindful of a former neighbour who for thirty years taunted the local fly-fishing association and is now in a very sorry situation following their success against him in the civil court.

I've posted this in the Cafe rather than Current Affairs because I'm hoping there's someone around who can give me some of the background on this kind of conflict.

 

[laurence]

same reason as the Hen Harriers have vanished from upland grouse moors. same reason why raptors are found shot near Scottish grouse moors.

 

[ufkacbln]

same reason as the Hen Harriers have vanished from upland grouse moors. same reason why raptors are found shot near Scottish grouse moors.

Often because they are easier targets rather than culllong

 

[Noodley]

I reckon that there are good estates out there (in fact, I know there are) but would say that Reiver's experience re estate management is all too common.

 

[Globalti]

We had the same situation with the elderly and eccentric poacher who lived in our street; he was in the habit of taking the odd trout from the rivers and reservoirs and the local fly fishing association tried for years to take action against him, eventually succeeding on their sixth attempt.

How many grouse would a large raptor take? One a day? Four or five a week? On an estate with thousands of birds, does this really make any difference to the numbers that fly overhead to be shot?

 

[Arch]

We had the same situation with the elderly and eccentric poacher who lived in our street; he was in the habit of taking the odd trout from the rivers and reservoirs and the local fly fishing association tried for years to take action against him, eventually succeeding on their sixth attempt.

How many grouse would a large raptor take? One a day? Four or five a week? On an estate with thousands of birds, does this really make any difference to the numbers that fly overhead to be shot?

When has rational calculation made any difference to a human being who thinks they are being done out of a few quid?